UpWork has a clear advantage in the market because of its transparent and reliable platform: it’s clear that they’ve invested quite a bit into taking the hassle out of the work sourcing and talent selection process. This is done via their detailed employer and client work history displays, feedback system, escrow payment system, and intuitive desktop and mobile apps. One unique offering is that employers can go for the UpWork Pro plan, which works like a talent agency in that UpWork vets and handpicks the right professionals for your project, saving you time in sorting through dozens of proposals.

Overview

The Perfect Example of a Freelance Website

UpWork has a clear advantage in the market because of its transparent and reliable platform: it’s clear that they’ve channeled most of their efforts into taking the hassle out of the work sourcing and talent selection process. This is done via their detailed employer and client work history displays, feedback system, escrow payment system, and desktop/mobile apps.

To kick off the process, employers post detailed job descriptions along with their estimated budgets and contractor requirements. This then allows freelancers to identify the jobs they’re best suited for and bid accordingly. One especially unique perk about UpWork is that employers can also go for the UpWork Pro plan, which works like a talent agency in that UpWork vets and handpicks the right professionals for your project, saving you time and the hassle of sorting through dozens of proposals.

Why Choose UpWork?

Escrow payment system ensures transparency and reliability

Commission fees are lowered with higher billings

Access to talents in different geographical regions

Convenient mobile app and desktop time tracker

Wondering if UpWork is the best option for your needs? Let us tell you about it!

Templates

4.8

Keeping Ahead of a Fast Developing Market

UpWork is not new to the scene. However, they are growing at an accelerated rate, primarily due to the variety of gigs on offer, the quality of freelancers showcased, and their user-friendliness.

One issue that every freelance site faces are spammers and whilst UpWork does an excellent job of fending them off, its popularity exposes UpWork to spam techniques that have corrupted other sites.

Despite the fact that freelancers need to really apply themselves before they gain the highest verification level on UpWork, many persistent unskilled newbies from Third World countries are flooding in on this site. Hopefully, UpWork will sort out the problem of unskilled workforce and remain a safe harbor of respect for skills, not cheap deals. Our advice is to only hire freelancers with complete verified profiles, positive feedback and at least some UpWork test badges. If you are willing to try out a novice freelancer, we advise you offer him/ her a test assignment to begin with and if you are satisfied with the quality, then go for it.

The quality of the work at UpWork is heterogeneous. However, the general stats are in favor of moderately-priced fine-quality work. This is not a site where A-list freelance pros make money on the side. But some lucky finds for your projects are possible. The demographics of UpWork’s population are rather tilted towards the different sides of the planet. The most classic schemes on UpWork are USA or UK employers hiring a European or Eastern European freelancer.

Features

4.0

All You Could Wish for and More

The UpWork team does not limit its developing features. You can find anything, from promotional badges for your private website, to advanced time-tracking software and a Master Card issued by UpWork especially designed for foreign workers.

The hiring scheme on UpWork deviates slightly from other sites and you can hire or interview a freelancer to discuss the project’s details. Bear it in mind that UpWork will most certainly conceal your e-mail details submitted through private massages, due to its direct contact non-disclosure policy. But a Skype account address will go unrecognized. Freelancers and employers’ performance alike is rated through a 5-star based feedback system. Only completed and paid projects can get feedback.

Registering as a freelancer, there’s quite a lot you need to do to setup a noticeable profile, like upload portfolio items, take skill tests that prove your abilities, verify your identity and add personal information. While this can take you a while, UpWork makes the entire process very easy, by sending you email reminders and notifying you of missing profile elements.

Contract can be made on a project or hourly basis. Hourly contracts require freelancers to download a time-tracking software, that allows employers to see what the freelancer is working on in real time. While somewhat controversial, it does help to build trust between the 2 sides of the deal, so you don’t have to worry about being scammed.

Ease of use

4.8

Fresh And Polished

UpWork’s visuals are glossy, colorful and stylish. The active designers’ team has changed the site’s layout 3 or 4 times within a few months.

The navigation is perfectly intuitive, except for the “See my profile as others do”. It keeps migrating with each design makeover on UpWork. The neat private messaging box is also an advantage that UpWork has over other freelance sites. The initial registration process requires nothing but your e-mail, password and a desired username, which you can always change as an employer – however, beware of making this mistake when registering a freelancer’s profile. You must use the name that is written in your passport to register.

Support

3.8

They Are Really There for You

Customer support is where UpWork truly delivers – you can get help 24/7 using any one of the many contact means available. There is also an extended and well-written FAQ section where you can find answers to just about anything.

24/7 Live-chat

Support ticket system

Comprehensive FAQs

Phone support line

Direct phone calls might turn out pricey

Pricing

4.0

The Beauty of Simplicity

Unlike some other sites with undecipherable payment policies and multiple membership-based discounts, UpWork has a set rule – 20% – 5% of the freelancer’s pay is charged to the client. Additional fees are charged when freelancers withdraw funds from UpWork. UpWork funds’ withdrawal fees amount to $2.50. Freelancers are allowed to withdraw amounts no lower than $20 + the withdrawal fee).

There are no premium accounts on UpWork, given their advanced scam-proof verification procedure for making the freelancers’ profiles more attractive on the site.

The payment system is easy – you deposit money from PayPal or your credit card into your UpWork account and begin the hiring process. UpWork only provides dispute arbitration and resolution for hourly-billed projects that had been tracked through the UpWork Team application on the freelancer’s side. UpWork does not resolve disputes over fixed-price projects.

For clients using the Enterprise UpWork Plan, prices vary according to needs.

Payment System – Credit card or PayPal

Payment Protection – UpWork Team time and performance tracking software is responsible for securing your project and money.

Payment Disputes – Only available for hourly-billed projects tracked through UpWorkTeam application

UpWork

$0

/ Month

Transaction fees: 20% for $500 and below; 10% for $500.01 to $10,000; 5% for 10,00.01 and up

Upwork really is bad

From my two years experience working on Upwork I can assert that the main idea of platform is very nice, however, the way the customer service deal with freelancers and client is very bad and not helpful at all. For freelancer you can get suspended at any time without giving you any logical reason about that action. More importantly, when they suspend you they will also block all your hard-earned money (this is their unpublished policy).As a client they can also suspend your contacts as well as your account once they notice what they call irregular activity and they of course will block your money.May be you can think this is a safety and security measures, but the way they do it makes it very hard for you, since you will eventually loose your money only based on some speculation by their bots.

Upwork is a Pain

I have been working on Upwork since 2015 back then they went with the name Elance. I even thought this was a place I could get job flow forever. However, they have suspended my account and now I am left high and dry without a job after building a client base and now I would not advise anyone to use the platform. Or if you do use it as a side gig. You never know when they will pull the rug from under your feet.

WorsthiringplatformI'veeverused

I got scammed out of a transaction with Upwork, and Upwork did not hing to help me. They let the scammer continue to 'work' on their platform and said I could not get my money back. I don't believe the reviews on this platform compared to reviews on other platforms like yelp, bbb, and trust pilot.

Worst ever freelancing site that exists

My profile on Upwork was working all fine until one day I came across an email from Upwork that they have decided to suspend my account! The reason being that I had placed around 6 to 7 bids on proposals that I found relevant to my skills which according to Upwork is not proper and all they have to say is that my skills are not relevant for the prospects on Upwork.Now, in the meantime, I had an active candidacy with one of the prospects and I was undergoing communication regarding the work and because of this non-sense behavior from Upwork, I lost at least a 1000 dollars for the project that was just going to be onboard.In my opinion, I feel Upwork is biased and they tend to close down accounts that charge low and in turn reduce their income percentage.I myself hold more than 5 years of experience working in the Virtual Assistant industry and I don't need Upwork personnel to judge my capabilities.
I would not recommend Upwork to any Freelancer who is willing to shine their career in the Freelancing market.

Love it

For years I have been trying to build my freelance career but have battled with finding quality clients who actually pay. UpWork makes it easy to find and sustain clients! I gladly share a portion of my paycheck to UpWork just for the relief of not having to worry about where my next job will come from!

Upwork is not at all concerned with quality!

Upwork rejected my application. I have superior writing capabilities and access to online databases like EBSCO Host. I could have brought excellent writing and content creation skills to the platform yet they rejected my application because they have too many writers. How is that possible? Why not let employers decide? I suspect they rejected me because I have started my own SaaS for business development, not at all in competition to Upwork. I guess I should have lied and showed myself to be less capable of delivering quality writing and online content.

Bottom line on UpWork

UpWork is the best freelance website available today, serving both employers and freelancers. It is totally intuitive and free and stands out among other platforms which charge extra money for every action you perform on the site. The motto of the site is: Changing the World of Work. It is a real change to look forward to and we wish all other freelancer sites adopted this steady, competent and work-alike approach. UpWork is a significant starting platform for hiring freelancers, as well as a pleasant surprise for people who have dealt with other freelance websites in the past.

PRO’S

Totally free

Very intuitive easy to use

Decent contingent of workers

Excellent tech support

Time tracking app

Comprehensive pricing model

CON’S

Too many new incompetent freelancers register daily.

Anti-disclosure policy of contact information

A long process of profile verification

Lucas Turner

Lucas is a full-stack web developer. He serves as an essential part in the creation of various startups from the proof of concept to acquiring market leader positions.

Information

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